Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Miami, FL
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 Miami leads 13 of 23 categories
Miami
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,858 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
125⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
443,665 ✓ Larger
Rochester
New York
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
210,992
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Miami, FL
Pros
19% less violent crime than Rochester
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $10,702 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 74°F vs 33°F
More college-educated — 34.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $433,900
Higher rents — median is $1,494/mo
Violent crime (473.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Rochester
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $323k less ($111,400 vs $433,900)
Rent averages $499/mo less ($995 vs $1,494)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Miami
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 88°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Miami by $10,702/yr
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Miami
Median Income
$10,702
$54,858 vs $44,156/yr
Miami
Violent Crime
19% lower
473.3 vs 582.3 per 100k
Miami
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.5% unemployment
Miami
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 87.8°F vs 82.5°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 97.7 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Home Value
$323k less
$111,400 vs $433,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.8⚠ High | 97.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $433,900⚠ High | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,494⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,858 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.2 min⚠ High | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.4:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.2% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 78.8% | 83.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | MIAMI-DADE | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 73.6°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 87.8°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 57.2" | 35.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 443,665 ✓ Larger | 210,992 |
| Median Age | 39.7 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.1% | 37.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.5% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.3% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Miami's cost of living index is 111.8 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Miami leads 13 of 23 categories. Miami wins 13 and Rochester wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Miami to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($433,900 vs $111,400 median home), income ($54,858 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Miami, FL and Rochester, NY are about 1,211 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.